Diego Lopes Hopes Backup Services Aren’t Needed for UFC 308 Main Event

As the backup fighter for the UFC 308
main event, Diego Lopes
really wants the original fight to stay intact.

Max
Holloway (26-6) challenges Ilia
Topuria (15-0) for the featherweight title in the main event at
UFC 308 this Saturday at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Because he
is the backup fighter, Lopes could have a shot at the title if he
has to step in for someone — but the Brazilian is so excited for
the fight that he hopes he doesn’t have to replace anyone. However,
if needed, Lopes is in perfect shape and willing to serve his
duties as the replacement.

“I’m so excited to watch the fight,” Lopes told MMAjunkie.com. “I hope that Friday morning everything
[is] OK. The guys stay healthy for their fight Saturday night… I
hope this but if they say they need me, I’m waiting… [My] weight is
good, every time I have no problem for the weight.”

Topuria defeated Alexander
Volkanovski via knockout at UFC 298 this past February to be
crowned the new champ at 145 pounds. Meanwhile, Holloway comes off
an iconic buzzer beater KO over Justin
Gaethje in a BMF title fight at UFC
300 in April.

Lopes is currently on a five-fight winning streak that includes
three finishes. He is fresh off a unanimous decision win over
Brian
Ortega at UFC
306 in September. If everything goes as planned on Saturday,
Lopes looks forward to fighting Volkanovski, who recently called
for an interim title fight against the Brazilian at UFC 312 in
Australia on Feb. 9. Regardless of whether it’s for the interim
title, Lopes is willing to take on “The Great” in his home
country.

“If UFC has this plan, I waiting for the fight with Volk in
Australia. I think it’s a big deal for the division, for the next
title fight… I’ll wait for the fight this Saturday night but
[interim] title or no title, I’m excited for the fight with Volk.”